Lackey vs. Sabathia II

Not only is baseball back today, it’s back with a rivalry showdown. The last time John Lackey faced CC Sabathia and the Yankees, it looked like a mismatch. But the Sox pounded the Yankees 10-4 behind a 4-hit night for Crawford and a 6 RBI show by Ellsbury. Lackey went six, giving up just three earned runs and upping his 2011 record versus the Yanks to 2-0.

Sabathia has six losses this year: four of them courteous of our own Boston Red Sox. The fat one is 0-4 with a 7.2 ERA and has given up 20 runs on 33 hits in 25 innings. And if the Sox can somehow beat him for a fifth time, what does that do to the Yankees psyche come playoff time?

Sadly, I don’t believe lightning will strike twice. Lackey pitching that well against the Yankees was like winning the lottery. Ever hear of anyone winning the lottery twice? It’s like Billy Joel reeling in Christie Brinkley. Like James Blunt having a number one song. Or like me getting a prediction right.

I’m not saying the Sox won’t win the game, I’m just saying Lackey won’t go six innings, nor will he give up three runs or less. This one will be decided by the bats and the large-assed yet mentally fragile CC.

Unfortunately for me, I will be working while this happens. But I can't agree with Red on this: I see Lackey pitching his ass off and wanting to hear the cheers as he gets pulled in the 7th being ahead.

Reality is I'm not counting on Hughes or AJ to be good pitchers this week. So we should take at least two of 3. And I'll always take 2 of 3.

I love predictions because they are almost as entertaining as the truth itself. We should all know predicting a Lackey performance is a bit less sure than the success the meteorologists had with Irene.

We know he will walk people and give up hits. Like Irene - we will not know the order or severity until they happen. Should our fielders be properly positioned and an official give us a break we could walk off 'unscathed'. I am not betting the farm on it.

I'll be somewhere in New Jersey when the boys take the field tonight. I am pretty sure I'll have no internet access and TV may be under the direct command of my travelling partner who prefers Cooking Shows to baseball.

Hope all is well with everyone while I am away - will be a week which will take me back to Maine via Tampa.